“Human rights violations which occurred during the protests in Egypt should not be overshadowed by the transition process,” said a group of UN experts, noting that as many as 365 people were killed and about 5500 people were injured from January 25 to February 15, 2011, and that 32 police officers lost their lives and 1000 were injured, according to the Ministries of Health and Interior.

“Accountability efforts to ensure justice for violations committed should form part of the long term democratic reforms to fulfill the aspirations of the Egyptian people,” afrik-news.com quoted the human rights experts as saying.

“We urge the authorities to investigate the extent and incidents of violence including as a result of excessive use of force by security officials, officials who ordered use of live ammunition and acts of violence between the pro- and anti-government protesters,” experts said.

“Journalists play an indispensable role to keep the public informed of events as they unfold,” said the UN Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, Frank La Rue. “An attack against a journalist is thus not only a violation of his or her right to freedom of opinion and expression, but the right of the public to be informed.”

On his part, the Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, El Hadji Malick Sow, drew attention to the fact that peaceful protestors arrested in connection with the demonstrations are still in detention. He expressed concern at the fact that many cases of detention were not acknowledged by the security forces. According to the reports, at least 119 persons were arbitrarily arrested during the demonstrations, African Press Organization said.

“We call on the authorities to ensure that all persons who peacefully participated in the demonstrations are promptly released or allowed to challenge the legality of their detention in accordance with domestic and international law,” Mr. Malick Sow said.